Letters from Norman Griffiths Ellsworth to his Mother, 1916 - Part 13 of 28

28 Cobham St.  
Gravesend, Kent. 
May 15^th 1916. 
  
Dearest Mother & all at Home, 
Just a few lines to say 
that I am back again at the above address, having 
arrived from London on Saturday afternoon, after 
having stayed 5 days in that City, during which 
time I was able to see over best part of the place, &  
its most historical & important buildings, and after 
spending the greater part of this week here, I return 
to Head Quarters on the 20^th, so will report next 
Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, to go into Camp. 
All are well I am glad to say, here, altho' 
Harriet is away at present at the house of Julia 
Roberts brother, who has just "passed away." 
Yesterday, 
one of Julia's sons came here, (Lauri, I think they 
called him), & he seems a very decent sort of chap, 
& is expecting to be called to the colors any day.  He 
said that he was anxious for me to go & stay with 
him, but unfortunately, I will not have time. 
During 
my stay in London, (where ones money goes too fast) 
I visited in turn, Westminster Abbey; St Pauls Cathedral, 

Page 2. 
The Tower of London; Tower Bridge; Royal Mint; 
Buckingham Palace; St James Park; Hyde Park, 
(where we saw all the people on horseback cantering 
along the track) Rotten Row; Marble Arch; Thames 
Embankment; & also Madam Taussauds Waxworks; 
to say nothing of the numerous 'bus rides, & visits 
to the various Theatres, in which I was very dissappointed 
at the latter places, owing to the back 
of the Circle being made a promenade, & women & 
fellows are walking backwards & forwards the 
whole time, trying to "mash" each other, & the incessant 
jabbering that goes on the whole time, would put to 
shame a chinese auction sale, & these people do 
not want to see & hear the performance, & it is 
impossible for anyone else to do so.  We hardly 
heard a word of the show, the whole of the night. 
We were that disgusted, that we decided to go 
out, & went across to see Geo Gray & Halkiner 
play a billiard match. 
The women outside the Theatres 
are very cheeky, & put the "hard word" on a man to 
take them in, & if this does not "come off," they pay 
3/- themselves, & walk about all the night like I 
have just described, putting the "hard word" again 
on a man to take them to supper, & afterwards, 
home, in a taxi.  Its the hottest thing I've seen. 

Page 3. 
During my stay in London, I was greatly 
surprised to meet one of my gunners (Tiny) 6ft 6in 
just over from France, on 8 days leave, & my joy 
knew no bounds, & I spent the rest of the day in 
showing him around the City, & his size simply 
staggered the London folk, who could do 
nothing but stare at him, & when, at his suggestion, 
we went down to "Petticoat lane" (a fearful 
st) he was received by the barrow women 
with every conceivable remark, but being a good 
natured fellow, he always succeeded in turning 
the joke on to them, to the amusement of the others. 
He gave me to thoroughly understand "that the 
boys were simply shouting for me to come back to 
them", & this appeal no man with any decency 
could refuse, so I told him to say that I was 
returning to them as soon as possible.  They are  
magnificent fellows. 
When I returned to Gravesend, 
a few letters were awaiting me; - 2 from Mother; one 
from George; & one from Mr Bagge (Deputy Master of Mint) 
which I am sending you, also, one tin box, in a 
most damaged condition, containing, 1 box of 
medecine in a brandy bottle; 1 pkt Green Peas; 1 pkt 
Brose Meal; & the pkt containing the Flash lamp & 
spare batteries, which are damaged a little. 

Page 4. 
for which I cannot thank you all enough for, but 
I cannot understand why I get some letters, & not 
others, also the parcels.  Anyhow I'm glad to 
know that you are all well, & I'm pleased to 
say that I have never felt better in my life than 
I do at present, & I'm simply running "to fat". 
Re my money in the bank - I want you 
to use more of it, as I know that things are 
very dear, & I'll be offended if you don't use it. 
Tell Rupert that I was pleased that he got my 
chocolate that I got at Xmas time, & that I hope he 
is a good boy.  Also pleased to know that Mab 
got the "shell band".   It was one of the few 
curio's that was not pinched from me by the  
R.A.M.C. men (Rob All My Comrades) in Lemnos. 
The Kangaroo brooch & gloves that she gave me 
both went. 
All at Gravesend send their fond 
love, & Lucy sands with it her photo; I am 
taking her to the Theatre to-night. 
Hoping that 
you are all well, with affection to all relations, 
& fondest love to you all at home. 
I am 
Your loving son 
Norman. 

Australian Intermedle Base, 
Abbey Wood, 
Kent. 21^st May 
1916. 
  
Dearest Mother & all at Home,  
As you 
can see by the above address, I am 
at the end of my furlough, & have 
reported to the Medical Office, who  
has classified me as C2 (Temporily 
unfit), so how long I will be here, 
I do not know. 
This camp is situated  
between the great Woolwich 
Arsenal, & Vickers, Sons & Maximis 
vast works, so you can see that 
we are, to use a military phrase, 
up against it. 
It is on the way 
to Gravesend, (about halfway from  
London) so should I get Leave, I 
will be able to go down there for  
a week end, providing we do 
not get sent down to Weymouth, 
where our principal base is. 

Page 2. 
Abbey Wood is a very pretty place, 
or was, but i s spoilt by the 
construction of thousands of huts 
for Munition workers, & Military 
Camps, & there are small townships 
of these huts all over the place. 
We are camped in huts of 
course, & it is a great improvement 
on the old tents, & we have decent 
beds, & above all, a good Sargents 
mess. 
We do no duties (Euterics) & 
get up at 7.30a.m, bath, & have 
breakfast, answer Roll call at 
9 a.m, & we are free for the rest 
of the day, so you can see we 
are having an easy time. 
We have 
our own band, & this is playing 
best part of the day, & so [[?euliosus?]] 
the proceedings.  The country 
looks beautiful now that the 
spring is here, & the only sing 
of war, is the discharge from 

Page 3. 
the guns in the testing range 
close by, & there are some big 
guns here too. 
Woolwich Arsenal 
is a tremendous place, & work 
never ceases, - the number of hands 
employed, is wonderful. 
All were 
well when I left Gravesend, & 
all send their love to you all. 
Harriet is thinking of giving 
up her home & going into a "flat" 
close to London, she will, of 
course, take Lucy with her. 
I 
think that it is shortage of money 
that necessitates this move.  I gave 
her a couple of ₤. I was there 
for 5 days. 
Well Mum, no more 
time for 'more, so will close, with  
fondest love to all from 
Your loving son 
Norman. 
[*C/o Aust High Comdr 
London 
S.W.*]